Of course you wouldn't expect much in the way of magnanimity from the reality TV star in the presidential race, not even after winning in New Hampshire by a large margin the other night. Even before the ink was dry in Wednesday's newspapers, he was already working on the next news cycle: by insulting his competitors, again, along with some New York newspaper, again. His act was tiring long ago. Now it just seems repetitive.
Could he win the nomination? Of course. Do you remember some of the people the Republicans have put on the ticket? Bob Dole (twice), Spiro Agnew, Dan Quayle, Sarah Palin, Richard Nixon (five times). Republicans do the craziest things. The problem for The Donald is that the polls show him losing in the general election to . . . anybody the Democrats put up. Including the admitted socialist.
Speaking of Bernie Sanders, here's assuming he'll get nowhere near his party's nomination. The Democrats like to win, and don't like to take chances. They might date Bernie Sanders this winter, but they won't marry him this summer. If Hillary Clinton continues to fall, the convention will flip a coin to decide whether Joe Biden or John Kerry will be on the top of the ticket, and the party will get in line as ordered. Unlike the Republicans, Democrats don't like to lose just so they can Send A Message.
But just when you thought that this election would come down to choices between the awful and the obscene, between the humorless and the vulgar, between the unprepared and the unwanted, the voters of New Hampshire . . . saved John Kasich.
For now.
The governor of Ohio came in a solid second Tuesday night in the nation's first primary. Other candidates who took second in New Hampshire over the years: George W. Bush (2000), Barack Obama (2008), and Bill Clinton (1992). So the campaign of one John Richard Kasich lives on another day. And that's good for not only his party, but for his country.
There are other candidates still in the race who have their moments and advantages. Word has it that nobody scares the Democrats like Marco Rubio. He's young and Hispanic and most of the time articulate. But he's also a first-term senator. Ben Carson is a brilliant man and an inspirational speaker. But he doesn't have experience in government. Jeb Bush has the family name and money. But both might work against him this particular year. Chris Christie might be a real fighter, but word came down yesterday afternoon that he might be out already.
John Kasich brings his own advantages, and they aren't few.
He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Ronald Reagan's first term. By 1997 he was the chairman of the House Budget Committee. And actually passed a balanced budget.
John Kasich chaired the committee that reworked welfare back in those days, folding in those work requirements that have worked out so well. And, just for toppers, he served 18 years on the House Armed Services Committee. There's a lot there that says Commander in Chief.
We've often wondered, though, if somebody like John Kasich could be heard over the sturm und drang of this particular campaign season. The voters of New Hampshire have answered the question. And many of us sigh in relief.
By the time Arkansas gets to vote on March 1, we'd like to have options. Real options. Not just between the vulgar and the humorless, the obscene and the unprepared. We'd still like to have some Carsons and Rubios and, yes, Kasichs to choose from.
Thank you, New Hampshire, for providing a little light Tuesday night. With all that wind the last week--natural and man-made--it must've been hard to keep the candles lit.
Editorial on 02/11/2016